ᐅ Install the inverter in the garage next to the utility room.
Created on: 15 Nov 2024 08:00
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Eifel87Good morning everyone!
I am currently planning to install a somewhat larger photovoltaic system on my house (location NRW).
Since the utility room is already quite full and, above all, well “heated” due to the washing machine and dryer, the water heater, network equipment, etc., and because additional wall space is limited, the plan was to mount the inverters (one for full feed-in and one for surplus feed-in) in the garage directly adjacent to the utility room.
The heat generated by the inverters would not be noticeable in the garage during summer and would not cause any issues in winter.
There is already a sub-distribution panel in the garage, where the 5 x 16 mm² (about 5 x 0.63 inch²) supply cable for the garage’s electrical system is connected.
The cable run from the meter cabinet to the inverters is about 3–4 m (10–13 feet), so pulling an additional cable for the full feed-in inverter would not be a problem.
Now my electrician told me that he sees a problem with installing the inverters in the garage.
Garages are fundamentally intended for parking cars, and in his opinion, only a wallbox charger is allowed to be installed there—nothing more.
I could not find anything about this in the VDE regulations. The only thing I knew about garage usage came from building law, but that should not be the electrician’s concern...
Furthermore, I have often read that energy storage systems are sometimes installed in garages due to their potential fire load. Even though this is not currently planned here, that would also contradict the intended use of the garage.
Do you have any further information on how to assess the electrician’s position?
I am currently planning to install a somewhat larger photovoltaic system on my house (location NRW).
Since the utility room is already quite full and, above all, well “heated” due to the washing machine and dryer, the water heater, network equipment, etc., and because additional wall space is limited, the plan was to mount the inverters (one for full feed-in and one for surplus feed-in) in the garage directly adjacent to the utility room.
The heat generated by the inverters would not be noticeable in the garage during summer and would not cause any issues in winter.
There is already a sub-distribution panel in the garage, where the 5 x 16 mm² (about 5 x 0.63 inch²) supply cable for the garage’s electrical system is connected.
The cable run from the meter cabinet to the inverters is about 3–4 m (10–13 feet), so pulling an additional cable for the full feed-in inverter would not be a problem.
Now my electrician told me that he sees a problem with installing the inverters in the garage.
Garages are fundamentally intended for parking cars, and in his opinion, only a wallbox charger is allowed to be installed there—nothing more.
I could not find anything about this in the VDE regulations. The only thing I knew about garage usage came from building law, but that should not be the electrician’s concern...
Furthermore, I have often read that energy storage systems are sometimes installed in garages due to their potential fire load. Even though this is not currently planned here, that would also contradict the intended use of the garage.
Do you have any further information on how to assess the electrician’s position?
My photovoltaic installer did this without any issues. I have both the inverter and the battery storage installed in the garage.
However, many inverters are also suitable for outdoor use. That might be something to consider if placing them in the garage is really not an option.
I’m glad the inverter is not installed inside the house / utility room / plant room. The fan can be quite loud in the summer.
However, many inverters are also suitable for outdoor use. That might be something to consider if placing them in the garage is really not an option.
I’m glad the inverter is not installed inside the house / utility room / plant room. The fan can be quite loud in the summer.
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nordanney15 Nov 2024 12:16To my knowledge, there are no regulations prohibiting this, provided that the installation is done correctly (fire protection, compliance with electrical standards, weather resistance designed for possible temperatures – frost in winter and a heated garage in summer, etc.).
There are datasheets for the inverter and the storage system specifying the allowable operating temperatures, which are also relevant for insurance purposes.
In a garage, temperatures can be as low as -20°C (4°F) or as high as +40°C (104°F).
One of our neighbors has the inverter and storage installed outside on the house and told me, when I asked, that these are the only ones capable of that (they were somewhat more expensive).
In a garage, temperatures can be as low as -20°C (4°F) or as high as +40°C (104°F).
One of our neighbors has the inverter and storage installed outside on the house and told me, when I asked, that these are the only ones capable of that (they were somewhat more expensive).
Thank you for the feedback.
I firmly believe that the environmental conditions in my garage are better suited for the heat pump than in the utility room.
In winter, it does not freeze, and in summer, it does not get too warm yet. The humidity should also be lower than in the utility room with a running condenser dryer.
I will talk to the electrician again.
I firmly believe that the environmental conditions in my garage are better suited for the heat pump than in the utility room.
In winter, it does not freeze, and in summer, it does not get too warm yet. The humidity should also be lower than in the utility room with a running condenser dryer.
I will talk to the electrician again.
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Gerddieter15 Nov 2024 15:38Hi – go for it!
We also planned it in the utility room, right behind the living room.
Since the utility room was already quite full and I wasn’t really keen on the noise and heat right next to the living area, we moved it to the garage 15m (50 feet) away. Heat recovery unit and battery.
Best decision ever!
We also planned it in the utility room, right behind the living room.
Since the utility room was already quite full and I wasn’t really keen on the noise and heat right next to the living area, we moved it to the garage 15m (50 feet) away. Heat recovery unit and battery.
Best decision ever!
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